Lunchtime Assistant

About Us

The Marlow Day Nursery is a friendly, “Good”-rated nursery caring for children aged 3 months to 5 years. We give every child a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where they can learn, play and grow. We’re looking for a reliable, caring Lunchtime Nursery Assistant to join our team during our busiest part of the day.

The Role

You’ll support our practitioners over the lunchtime period, helping mealtimes run smoothly and safely and covering staff breaks across our baby, toddler and pre-school rooms. It’s a great opportunity for someone who loves working with young children and wants regular daytime hours that fit around other commitments.

Key Responsibilities

• Help prepare and serve lunches, and support children to eat in a calm, positive and social atmosphere
• Help babies and younger children with feeding, including bottles and weaning foods where needed
• Encourage older children’s independence at mealtimes, such as using cutlery, pouring drinks and clearing plates
• Follow all dietary, allergy, medical and cultural requirements carefully
• Support nappy changing, toileting and handwashing routines
• Help settle children for sleep and rest, and monitor sleeping children in line with safe sleep guidance
• Supervise children during indoor and outdoor play
• Cover practitioners’ lunch breaks to maintain staff-to-child ratios
• Keep eating and play areas clean, tidy and hygienic after mealtimes
• Record food intake, sleep times and nappy changes accurately
• Follow the nursery’s safeguarding, health and safety, and food hygiene policies at all times
• Pass on any concerns to the room leader or manager promptly

What We’re Looking For

• Experience caring for babies or young children, either in a nursery or another childcare setting (desirable but not essential)
• Level 2 or Level 3 Early Years qualification (desirable; required for the role to count in staff ratios)
• Paediatric First Aid and Food Hygiene certificates (desirable; training can be provided)
• A good understanding of safeguarding and the EYFS (or a willingness to learn)
• A warm, patient and caring nature
• Reliability and good timekeeping
• Good communication skills and the ability to work well as part of a team
• Good spoken and written English

What We Offer

• Regular, consistent hours
• Free training, including Paediatric First Aid, Safeguarding and Food Hygiene
• Opportunities to progress to further hours or practitioner roles
• Childcare discount / staff wellbeing benefits / pension scheme
• A supportive and friendly team

Important Information

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. The Marlow Day Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Pay: From £9,945.00 per year

Work Location: In person